(1) To qualify for a School-based Mental Health Qualified Grant, an LEA shall submit a plan to the Superintendent. (2) The plan shall include:

• (a) a three-year projection for the LEA's goals, metrics, and outcomes;
• (b) requirements outlined in Subsection 53F-2-415(3);
• (c) plan for improving access to students who are underserved or at risk;
• (d) how qualified personnel will increase access to mental health services;
• (e) a process for utilization of qualified personnel in participating with an LEA's care team as outlined in R277-400;
• (f) the source of the LEA's matching funds; and
• (g) a timeline and process for stakeholder training in trauma-informed practices. (3) Except as provided in Subsection (4), an LEA shall submit the LEA's plan no later than May 31 for a funding distribution to be made for the upcoming school year. (4) An LEA shall submit a plan no later than June 7 for a funding distribution to be made in Fiscal Year 20. (5) An LEA's approved plan is valid for three years and may be required to be reapproved after three years of implementation.

(1) As used in this section, “local education agency” means:

• (a) a school district;
• (b) a charter school; or
• (c) the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

(2) In consultation with the Department of Human Services and the State Board of Education, the department shall develop a proposal to allow the state Medicaid program to reimburse a local education agency, a local mental health authority, or a private provider for covered mental health services provided:

• (a) in accordance with Section 53E-9-203; and
• (b)
• (i) at a local education agency building or facility; or
• (ii) by an employee or contractor of a local education agency.

(3) Before January 1, 2020, the department shall apply to CMS for a state plan amendment to implement the coverage described in Subsection (2).

(1) As used in this section, “local education agency” means:

• (a) a school district;
• (b) a charter school; or
• (c) the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

(2) A health benefit plan that is entered into or renewed on or after January 1, 2020, may not deny a claim for a covered mental health service solely because the mental health service is provided:

• (a) at a local education agency building or facility; or
• (b) by an employee or contractor of a local education agency.

(1) As used in this section, “qualifying personnel” means a school counselor or other counselor, school psychologist or other psychologist, school social worker or other social worker, or school nurse who:

• (a) is licensed; and
• (b) collaborates with educators and a student’s parent on:
• (i) early identification and intervention of the student’s academic and mental health needs; and
• (ii) removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for the student’s academic achievement.

(2)

• (a) Subject to legislative appropriations, and in accordance with Subsection (2)(b), the state board shall distribute money appropriated under this section to LEAs to provide in a school targeted school-based mental health support, including clinical services and trauma-informed care, through employing or entering into contracts for services provided by qualifying personnel.
• (b)
• (i) The state board shall, after consulting with LEA governing boards, develop a formula to distribute money appropriated under this section to LEAs.
• (ii) The state board shall ensure that the formula described in Subsection (2)(b)(i) incentivizes an LEA to provide school-based mental health support in collaboration with the local mental health authority of the county in which the LEA is located.

(1) As used in this section:

• (a) “Elementary school” means a school that includes any one or all of grades kindergarten through grade 6.
• (b) “Intergenerational poverty” means the same as that term is defined in Section 35A-9-102.
• (c) “Qualifying personnel” means a school counselor or school social worker who:
• (i) is licensed by the state board; and
• (ii) collaborates with educators and a student’s family or guardian on:
• (A) early identification and intervention of a student’s academic and mental health needs; and
• (B) removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for a student’s academic achievement.

(2) Subject to legislative appropriations and Subsection (3), the state board shall award a grant to an LEA to provide targeted school-based mental health support in an elementary school, including trauma-informed care, through employment of qualifying personnel.

(3) In awarding a grant under this section, the state board shall give:

• (a) first priority to an LEA that proposes to target funds to one or more elementary schools with a high percentage of students exhibiting risk factors for childhood trauma; and
• (b) second priority to an LEA that proposes to target funds to one or more elementary schools with a high percentage of students experiencing intergenerational poverty.

(4) To qualify for a grant, an LEA shall:

• (a) submit an application to the state board that includes:
• (i) measurable goals on improving student safety, student engagement, school culture, and academic achievement; and
• (ii) how the LEA intends to meet goals submitted under Subsection (4)(a)(i) through the use of the grant funds; and
• (b) provide local funds to match grant funds received under this section in an amount equal to one-half of the amount of the grant funds.

(5) An LEA may not replace federal, state, or local funds previously allocated to employ qualified personnel with funds distributed under this section.

(6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make rules specifying:

• (a) procedures for applying for and awarding grants under this section, including:
• (i) a definition of risk factors for childhood trauma;
• (ii) the duration of a grant; and
• (iii) a schedule for submission of matching grant funds; and
• (b) annual reporting requirements for grantees in accordance with Subsection (7).

(7) An LEA that receives a grant under this section shall submit an annual report to the state board, including:

• (a) progress toward achieving the goals submitted under Subsection (4)(a)(i); and

• (b) if the LEA decides to discontinue the qualifying personnel position, the LEA’s reason for discontinuing the position.

  (8) Beginning on or before July 1, 2019, the state board shall provide training that instructs educators on the impact of trauma on student learning, including information advising educators against practicing medicine, giving a diagnosis, or providing treatment.

(2)

• (a) On or before July 1, 2018, the division shall issue a project proposal request in accordance with this section to award a grant to:
• (i) one or more local authorities to develop and implement one or more projects in one or more public schools in the state; or
• (ii) the Utah State Hospital.
• (b) An application for a project described in Subsection (2)(a) shall be submitted jointly by:
• (i) a public school or the Utah State Hospital; and
• (ii) a provider of telehealth mental health services.
• (c) The division shall award all grants under this section before December 31, 2018.
• (d) A project shall run for two years.

(3) The purpose of the telehealth mental health pilot program is to:

• (a) determine how telehealth mental health services can best be used in the state to:
• (i) increase access to mental health services by public school students;
• (ii) increase the timeliness and effectiveness of mental health crisis intervention services for public school students;
• (iii) reduce the cost associated with providing mental health services to public school students; and
• (iv) increase access to mental health services by public school students in underserved areas of the state;
• (b) identify best practices for providing telehealth mental health services to public school students in the state; and
• (c) identify the best methods of using telecommunications technology to provide mental health services to public school students remotely.

(4) Persons who apply for a grant under this section shall:

• (a) identify the population to which the proposed project will provide telehealth mental health services;
• (b) explain how the population described in Subsection (4)(a):
• (i) is currently underserved; and
• (ii) will benefit from the provision of telehealth mental health services;
  • (c) provide details regarding:
• (i) how the proposed project will provide the telehealth mental health services;
• (ii) the projected costs of providing the telehealth mental health services;
• (iii) the sustainability of the proposed project; and
• (iv) the methods that the proposed project will use to:
• (A) protect the privacy of students and patients;
• (B) collect nonidentifying data relating to the proposed project; and
• (C) provide transparency on the costs and operation of the proposed project; and
• (d) provide other information requested by the division to ensure that the proposed project satisfies the criteria described in Subsection (5).

(5) In evaluating a proposal for a grant, the division shall consider:

• (a) the extent to which the proposed project will fulfill the purposes described in Subsection (3);
• (b) the extent to which the population that will be served by the proposed project is:
• (i) currently underserved; and
• (ii) likely to benefit from the proposed project;
• (d) the viability and innovation of the proposed project; and
• (e) the extent to which the proposed project will yield useful data to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed project.